Biomass Week - May 6, 2011

USDA approves first BCAP project area The USDA has announced approval of the first Biomass Crop Assistance Program project area, which was proposed by Missouri-based farmer-owned cooperative Show Me Energy. READ MORE SHARE
ICM biomass gasifier ready for commercial deployment Kansas-based ICM Inc.'s biomass gasifier is officially ready for commercial deployment, the company announced. Since 2009, ICM has been testing a demonstration commercial-scale gasifier, and has processed more than 7,000 tons of feedstock. READ MORE SHARE
	Conference plenary session appropriately global The global project development plenary session at the biomass conference in St. Louis, earned its name, incorporating development aspects from multiple foreign markets, as well as addressing opportunities for domestic industrial wood pellet markets. READ MORE SHARE
Ex-Im Bank offers benefits to exporters of U.S. renewable energy Attendees at the 2011 International Biomass Conference had the opportunity to learn about the benefits of working with the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. to serve markets abroad. The Ex-Im Bank is a government agency that finances exports. READ MORE SHARE
Enviva expands wood pellet plant plans Wood pellet manufacturer Enviva LP has decided to expand the capacity of its 300,000-ton plant under construction in Ahoskie, N.C., by 50,000 tons READ MORE SHARE
Biomass conference addresses farming community's role in industry The farming community is an integral part of the biorefining and biomass heat and power industries. However, its contribution to the growth of the industry can, at times, be overshadowed by the massive amount of attention paid to R&D and scale-up. READ MORE SHARE
Mapping tools benefit biomass supply chain A panel at the International Biomass Conference & Expo, Examining Biomass Inventories, Prices and Production Systems, featured several presentations on mapping tools to help streamline the identification of available biomass supplies. READ MORE SHARE
Draft regulation of Mass. woody biomass RPS eligibility filed The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) filed with the Clerk of the House May 3 a much-anticipated draft regulation that outlines woody biomass eligibility for the state's 20 percent by 2025 renewable portfolio standard (RPS). READ MORE SHARE
District energy project announces grant at biomass conference An excited Gwen Hallsmith took to the podium May 3 at the International Biomass Conference & Expo in St. Louis. Once there, she promptly announced to the audience that her district heating project had just received state funding earlier in the day READ MORE SHARE
Industry leaders discuss policy goals at biomass conference Leaders representing all sectors of the biomass industry met in St. Louis to discuss the future of the algae, biomass thermal, biomass power, biogas, biofuels and biochemicals industries during the International Biomass Conference & Expo. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass conference keynote highlights biomass use projections The interconnectedness of biomass and biofuels within the energy sector is an area the U.S. DOE's Energy Information Administration has been analyzing recently, according to Richard Newell, the agency's administrator. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass conference opening ceremony shows industry's ingenuity A ribbon cutting ceremony kicked off the 2011 International Biomass Conference & Expo in St. Louis, which is being held May 2-5 at the America's Center. More than 1,300 people are registered for the fourth annual event. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass tour showcases three different biomass systems Anheuser-Busch's Bio-Energy Recovery System was one of three tour stops during the 2011 International Biomass Conference & Expo in St. Louis. Tour participants also traveled to the IESI MO Champ Landfill and Innovative Energy Inc. READ MORE SHARE
Virginia biomass power plant gains approval The Virginia State Corporation Commission has granted approval to Novi Energy and the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative to build a 49.9-megawatt biomass power plant in Halifax County, Va. READ MORE SHARE
BPA applauds Obama's plan to end tax breaks for oil companies The Biomass Power Association on May 2 commended President Obama's pledge to work with Congress to end taxpayer subsidies to oil companies and instead promote American-made renewable energy. READ MORE SHARE